Door bell signal device



Dec. 20, 1960 Filed Jan. 27, 1960 B. D. LANGDON DOOR BELL SIGNAL DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR BENJFIMI N D. LHNGDON A 'rramvsy Dec. 20, 1960 B. D. LANGDON DOOR BELL SIGNAL. DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 27, 1960 LANGDON WW DOGR BELL SIGNAL DEVICE Benjamin D. Langdon, 89-28 Woodhaven Blvd., Woodhaven, N.Y.

Filed Jan. 27, 1960, Ser. No. 4,981

8 Claims. (Cl. 340--393) This invention concerns a doorbell construction.

According to the invention there is provided a bracket adapted to be attached to a wall, door or other support. Attached to the bracket by spring means is a bar supporting a plurality of bells. A handle is attached to the bar for moving the same and causing the bells to sound. A suitable nameplate, advertising sign, and the like, may be supported by the bracket.

In a further form of the invention, there are provided solenoids associated with the spring means. The solenoids are in circuit with a switch and power supply. The switch is mounted on the bar carrying the bells. The handle is attached to the switch. When the handle is pulled, the solenoids are energized and the springs supporting the bar and bells are compressed. When the handle is released, the solenoids are deenergized and the springs are released to oscillate and shake the bar causing the bells to sound.

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a doorbell assembly including a support, springs attached to the support, and a bar carried by the springs, the bar supporting a plurality of bells arranged to ring when a handle carried by the bar is pulled.

A further object of the invention is to provide a doorbell assembly of the character described, wherein the handle is attached to a switch carried by the bar, the switch being in circuit with solenoids associated with the springs, so that the bells sound when the handle operates the switch.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a bell assembly embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the bell assembly of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of another bell assembly embodying the invention.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line 55 of Fig. 4.

Figs. 6 and 7 are elevational views on an enlarged scale of terminal portions of a plunger and solenoid respectively employed in the assembly of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is a diagram of an electrical circuit employed in the assembly of Fig. 4.

Referring to Figs. 1-3, there is shown a bracket 10 having a vertical arm 12 which is provided with holes 11 for attaching the bracket to a'suitable verticalsupport S. Extending horizontally from arm 12 is another arm 14 secured by a rivet 16. Joining the arms 12 and 14 States Patent 0 to form a generally triangular frame is a brace bar 18 secured by rivets 20, 21 to the respective arms.

Disposed inside the triangular frame is a further brace bar 22 secured by rivets 23*-23 to arms 12, 14 and bar 18. An advertising sign plate 24 is supported between the bar 22 and arm 14. Secured to the arm 14 are two spaced vertical coil springs 26, 28. The springs have their upper ends attached to the arm 14. To the lower ends of the springs is secured a horizontal channel bar 30. This bar supports a plurality of spaced bells 32 having tongues or clappers 34 swingably mounted therein as best shown in Fig. 3.

At the center of bar 30 is secured a loop 35 of a coil spring 36 to which is attached a twisted handle 38. The handle depends from the spring and may be grasped manually by a person for ringing the bells. This is done by pulling the handle to stretch the springs 26, 28. When the handle is released, the bar 30 will be shaken by the springs 26, 28 which will cause the clappers to strike and sound their respective bells.

A further advertising sign plate or nameplate 33 may be attached to the horizontal arm 14. In one possible arrangement, the sign 24 may be the name of a business establishment and sign 33 may be the name of a particular individual. Other sign arrangements may be readily devised. Sign 33 is supported by springs 37.

Figs. 4-9 show a further form of the invention in which parts corresponding to those of Figs. 1-3 are identically numbered. Arms 12 and 14, bars 18 and 22 and signs 24 and 33 are the same as described above. Springs 26 and 28 are now attached at their upper ends to the upper ends of solenoid casings 40, 42. Each casing, as best shown in Fig. 7, has a groove 44 for engaging the uppermost turn of the spring enclosing the casing. Each casing has a hook 46 for attachment to the arm 14. Each casing extends downwardly about half the length of the spring in which it is enclosed. The lower end of each spring 26 and 28 is attached to a cylindrical base 48 of a magnetic plunger 50 or 51. Each base 48 has a groove 52 as best shown in Fig. 6 for engaging the lowermost turn of the spring 26 or 28 A hook 53 is attached to the base 48 for securing it to bar 30 on which the bells 32 are mounted. Extending upwardly about half the length of each spring is the plunger 50 or 51, whose upper end is slidably disposed near the lower end of a cylindrical passage 54, as best shown in Fig. 5. The passage 54 is axially formed in a cylindrical iron core 56 which is surrounded by a coil 58 or 59. The core and coil constitute a solenoid. Two such solenoids 60, 62 are provided as indicated in Fig. 9. A power supply cable 64 is connected to each solenoid coil. The cable terminates in a plug 66 for connection to a suitable power supply such as a battery 68.

Mounted at the center of bar 38 is a push button type of switch 70 having an operating button or handle 72 to which is attached spring 36 Handle 38 depends from the spring 36 A cable 74 extends from the switch to connect the coils of the solenoids in circuit with the power supply. Clips 76 secure the several insulated circuit wires 74 74 to the sign plate 33 which acts as a support therefor.

Referring to Fig. 9, it will be noted that switch 70 is in series with the power supply 68 and that the respective coils 58, 59 of the two solenoids 68, 62 are connected in a series-parallel arrangement with respect to the switch and power supply.

In operation of the device 10 the handle 38 is manually grasped and pulled. This closes switch 70 and causes the solenoids 6t), 62 to become energized. The magnetic plungers 50, 51 are then drawn into the passages 54 of cores 56. The springs 26? and 28 becomecompres'sed. When the handle is released, the solenoids are deenergizd and the compressed springs 26 and 28" are released to oscillate and shake the bar 30 and cause the bells 32 to be sounded.

There has thus been provided according to the invention an electrically operated means for sounding a plurality of bells by shaking a support therefor. This provides more appealing and attractive sounds than the ringing of a hell by a conventional electromagnetically actuated hammer or striker.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent 1. A doorbell assembly or the like, comprising a bracket, said bracket having means for attachment to an elevated support, a pair of coil springs having upper ends secured to said bracket and depending therefrom, a bar connected to lower ends of the springs and extending perpendicular to the springs, a plurality of bells secured to the bar in spaced disposition therealong, a handle, and further means operatively connecting the handle and bar whereby said springs are tensioned when the handle is pulled in a direction away from the bar, and said bar is shaken to sound said bells when the handle is released, said further means including a switch mounted on said bar, and solenoids enclosed by the respective springs, said switch being in circuit with said solenoids for energizing the same when the handle is pulled.

2. A doorbell assembly or the like, comprising a bracket, said bracket having means for attachment to an elevated support, a pair of coil springs having upper ends secured to said bracket and depending therefrom, a bar connected to lower ends of the springs and extending perpendicular to the springs, a plurality of bells secured to the bar in spaced disposition therealong, a handle, and further means operatively connecting the handle and bar whereby said springs are tensioned when the handle is pulled in a direction away from the bar, and said bar is shaken to sound said bells when the handle is released, said further means including a plate supported by said bracket, a switch mounted on said bar, solenoids enclosed by the respective springs, and wires connected between said solenoids and switch, said handle being connected to said switch, said Wires being supported by said sign plate, whereby said solenoids are energized when the handle is pulled and are deenergized when the handle is released.

3. A doorbell assembly or the like, comprising a bracket, said bracket having means for attachment to an elevated support, a pair of cylindrical solenoids having upper ends secured to said bracket, said solenoids having passages extending axially therein, a pair of magnetic plungers disposed in axial alignment with the passages and normally retracted with respect to the solenoids, a bar, a plurality of bells secured to said bar, said plungers having lower ends secured to said bar and upper ends extending into said passages, a pair of coil springs enclosing the respective solenoids and aligned plungers, said solenoids having upper ends secured at the upper ends of the solenoids and lower ends secured at the lower ends of the plungers, and switch means for energizing the solenoids to retract the plungers and compress the springs, said springs being released when the solenoids are deenerized to shake the bar and sound the bells.

4. A doorbell assembly or the like, comprising a bracket, said bracket having means for attachment to an elevated support, a pair of cylindrical solenoids having upper ends secured to said bracket, said solenoids having passages extending axially therein, a pair of magnetic plungers disposed in axial alignment with the passages and normally retracted with respect to the solenoids, a bar, a plurality of bells secured to said bar, said plungers having lower ends secured to said bar and upper ends extending into said passages, a pair of coil springs enclosing the respective solenoids and aligned plungers, said solenoids having upper ends secured at the upper ends of the solenoids and lower ends secured at the lower ends of the plungers, a switch carried by said bar, and a handle operatively connected to actuate the switch, said switch being in circuit with said solenoids for energizing the same when the switch is closed and retracting the plungers to compress the springs, said springs being released when the switch is opened and the solenoids are deenergized to shake the bar and sound the bells.

5. A doorbell assembly or the like, comprising a bracket, said bracket having means for attachment to an elevated support, a pair of cylindrical solenoids having upper ends secured to said bracket, said solenoids having passages extending axially therein, a pair of magnetic plungers disposed in axial alignment with the passages and normally retracted with respect to the solenoids, a bar, a plurality of bells secured to said bar, said plungers having lower ends secured to said bar and upper ends extending into said passages, a pair of coil springs enclosing the respective solenoids and aligned plungers, said solenoids having upper ends secured at the upper ends of the solenoids and lower ends secured at the lower ends of the plungers, a switch carried by said bar, and a handle operatively connected to actuate the switch, said switch being in circuit with said solenoids for energizing the same when the switch is closed and retracting the plungers to compress the springs, said springs being released when the switch is opened and the solenoids are deenergized to shake the bar and sound the bells, there being a sign plate carried by said bracket, said circuit including wires supported by said sign plate.

6. A doorbell assembly or the like, comprising a bracket, said bracket having means for attachment to an elevated support, a pair of cylindrical solenoids having upper ends secured to said bracket, said solenoids having passages extending axially therein, a pair of magnetic plungers disposed in axial alignment with the passages and normally retracted with respect to the solenoids, a bar, a plurality of bells secured to said bar, said plungers having lower ends secured to said bar and upper ends extending into said passages, a pair of coil springs enclosing the respective solenoids and aligned plungers, said solenoids having upper ends secured at the upper ends of the solenoids and lower ends secured at the lower ends of the plungers, a switch carried by said bar, and a handle operatively connected to actuate the switch, said switch being in circuit with said solenoids for energizing the same when the switch is closed and retracting the plungers to compress the springs, said springs being released when the switch is opened and the solenoids are deenergized to shake the bar and sound the bells, there being a sign plate carried by said bracket, said circuit including wires supported by said sign plate, said bracket including a vertical arm having holes for attachment to a vertical support, a horizontal arm for supporting said solenoids, and a brace bar connected between said vertical and horizontal arms to define a generally triangular frame.

7. A doorbell assembly or the like, comprising a bracket, said bracket having means for attachment to an elevated support, a pair of cylindrical solenoids having upper ends secured to said bracket, said solenoids having passages extending axially therein, a pair of magnetic plungers disposed in axial alignment with the passages and normally retracted with respect to the solenoids, a bar, a plurality of bells secured to said bar, said plungers having lower ends secured to said bar and upper ends extending into said passages, a pair of coil springs enclosing the respective solenoids and aligned plungers, said solenoids having upper ends secured at the upper ends of the solenoids and lower ends secured at the lower ends of the plungers, a switch carried by said bar, and a handle operatively connected to actuate the switch, said switch being in circuit with said solenoids for energizing the same when the switch is closed and retracting the plungers to compress the springs, said springs being released when the switch is opened and the solenoids are deenergized to shake the bar and sound the bells, said solenoids and plungers being formed with grooved portions for engaging upper and lower turns respectively of the springs.

8. A doorbell assembly or the like, comprising a bracket, said bracket having means for attachment to an elevated support, a pair of cylindrical solenoids having upper ends secured to said bracket, said solenoids having passages extending axially therein, a pair of magnetic plungers disposed in axial alignment with the passages and normally retracted with respect to the solenoids, a bar, a plurality of bells secured to said bar, said plungers having lower ends secured to said bar and upper ends extending into said passages, a pair of coil springs enclosing the respective solenoids and aligned plungers, said solenoids having upper ends secured at the upper ends of the solenoids and lower ends secured at the lower ends of the plungers, a switch carried by said bar, and a handle operatively connected to actuate the switch, said switch being in circuit with said solenoids for energizing the same when the switch is closed and retracting the plungers to compress the springs, said springs being released when the switch is opened and the solenoids are deenergized to shake the bar and sound the bells, there being a sign plate carried by said bracket, said circuit including wires supported by said sign plate, said bracket including a vertical arm having holes for attachment to a vertical support, a horizontal arm for supporting said solenoids, and a brace bar connected between said vertical and horizontal arms to define a generally triangular frame, said solenoids and plunger being formed with grooved portions for engaging upper and lower turns respectively of the springs, there being another brace bar disposed between the first-named brace bar and said arms for strengthening the bracket, and another sign plate supported by said other brace bar, said other sign plate serving to reinforce and further strengthen said bracket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,012,560 Keller Dec. 19, 1911 2,663,013 Bronson Dec. 15, 1953 2,904,783 Tibbot Sept. 15, 1959 

